Trump backers realize they've been played as WikiLeaks fails to deliver October surprise  —  LONDON — The expectations were breathless.  —  For weeks, backers of Republican nominee Donald Trump have hyped the tantalizing possibility that the anti-secrecy organization WikiLeaks was on the verge …

How a Simple Tax Rule Let Donald Trump Turn a $916 Million Loss Into a Plus  —  It is among the least controversial parts of the federal tax code, almost as old as the income tax itself: A business, big or small, can escape taxation if it lost money in a previous year, a rule …

Trump Used Foundation Funds for 2016 Run, Filings Suggest  —  As Donald Trump began making noise about a possible bid for president in 2011, South Carolina conservative activist Oran Smith caught the celebrity businessman's eye as a particularly vocal and potentially influential critic.

Hillary Clinton edges ahead of Donald Trump after first debate - CBS News poll  —  The State of the Race  —  In the first CBS News Poll following last week's presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Clinton has edged ahead to a four-point lead over her Republican rival among likely voters.

US Sen. Kelly Ayotte Says She ‘Misspoke’ After Calling Trump Role Model  —  U.S. Senator from New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte quickly backtracked on Monday after saying in a debate, “absolutely, I would do that,” when asked if she would point to Donald Trump as a role model.

Paul Ryan, So Handsome, So Sad  —  It was late Monday night, and the first presidential debate had just come to a close.  Donald Trump was on TV congratulating himself for not bringing up Bill Clinton's infidelities.  Trump's advisers were in the spin room bickering with reporters about his sundry gaffes, lies, and onstage outbursts.

Donald Trump: The Ugly American*  —  Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter has spent more than 30 years observing Donald Trump's orange-tinted antics.  With a month left to go before the election, he reports on some memorable lessons learned along the way.  —  In 1987, Michael Kelly …

Mike Pence Has the Toughest Job in Politics Tonight  —  First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.  —  Analyst: Mike Pence will be on defense for Donald Trump at VP debate 2:21

Former Host Andrea Tantaros Hopes to Bring ‘Accountability’ to Fox News  —  Former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros hopes to bring “accountability” to the network that is at the center of allegations of sexual misconduct, she said today on ABC News' “Good Morning America.”

Parade float-maker apologizes (sort of) for depicting Trump executing Clinton in electric chair  —  Frank Linkmeyer says he's spoofed people for years  —  AURORA, Ind. - The creator of a controversial float in the Aurora Farmer's Fair parade depicting Donald Trump killing Hillary Clinton is apologizing.

DiCaprio: Climate change deniers shouldn't hold public office  —  Politicians who don't believe in climate change should not hold public office, said actor Leonardo DiCaprio Monday at the White House before the screening of his new climate documentary.  —  “The scientific consensus …

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2016  —  The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Physics 2016 with one half to  —  University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA  —  F. Duncan M. Haldane  —  J. Michael Kosterlitz  —  “for theoretical discoveries …

Biden bashes Trump over PTSD comments  —  Donald Trump's insinuation Monday that military members and veterans who suffer from mental health issues are not strong because they “can't handle” what they've seen in combat is proof that the Manhattan billionaire “is an ignorant man,” Vice President Joe Biden said.

Russia deploys advanced anti-missile system to Syria for first time, US officials say  —  EXCLUSIVE: Russia has deployed an advanced anti-missile system to Syria for the first time, three US officials tell Fox News, the latest indication that Moscow continues to ramp up its military operations …

The one thing Trump and Clinton agree on is infrastructure.  This economist thinks they're both wrong.  —  About the only thing Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump agree on in this election is the need for the federal government to spend a lot more on America's infrastructure.

As insurance companies bolt from Obamacare, lawmaker prescribes a fix for N.J.  —  TRENTON — With insurance companies in New Jersey fleeing the health exchange created by the Affordable Care Act, a state lawmaker has introduced a bill to create a government-operated plan that he said will stabilize the volatile market.